Dorothy "Dot" Leatherwood Vickery

A native of Haywood County, Dorothy was the eldest daughter of the late William Johnston Leatherwood and Mayme Liner Leatherwood. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Carl Chestnut Matthews and second husband, Mack Vickery; a son, Kenneth William Matthews; and sister, Frances Leatherwood Adams.

Dorothy attended Mars Hill College and Emory University after graduating from Waynesville Township High School. She married Carl Matthews in 1948 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She worked at the Atlanta branch of Champion Paper Company for several years and then as the Pastor’s Secretary at Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur, GA for 31 years before retiring and moving back to Waynesville. Miss Dot, as she was known to most people, was a beloved member of Briarlake Baptist where she served not only as the Pastor’s Secretary but also as a librarian, a preschool teacher, and a wedding coordinator. Since moving to Waynesville, she was a faithful member of Calvary Road Baptist Church in Maggie Valley.

Dot truly enjoyed sewing and quilting, and made many different masterpieces for family and friends over the years. She also enjoyed literature and would read several books a week.

She is survived by daughter, Dr. Pamela Matthews Whalen and grandson, Simon Whalen of San Diego, CA; son, Brian Charles Matthews (Jennifer) of Atlanta, GA; 3 sisters: Nancy Duckett, Patsy Cook (Charles) and Lynda Leonard (Steve) and one brother, Joseph Charles Leatherwood all of Waynesville and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank two of Dorothy’s very special friends, Mary Medley and Lynda McCammon, for their many visits to see her in the Nursing Home and for their enduring friendship. Dorothy’s family would also like to express a special thank you to Autumn Care Nursing Home for their care and love shown to her during the three years she resided there.

Due to COVID-19, there will a private family gathering but no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Road Baptist Church, 2177 Russ Ave, Waynesville, NC 28786.

Garrett Funeral Home of Waynesville is caring for the family. A message of comfort may be left for the family at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.